Stages of Adolescence

By Katelyn Dibrell

"Adolescence is the period of life from about 13 to early 20s, during

which a person is no longer physically a child but not yet an

independent, self-supporting adult"

Definition

• Early Adolescence: puberty begins, desire for independence, abstract thinking, greatly influenced by their peers (11-13)

• Middle Adolescence: end of puberty, greater self-involvement, goal-setting, new friends (14-18)

• Late Adolescence: end of physical development, thinking about the future, stronger sense of identity, serious relationships (19-21)

Stages Overview

Examining Different Types of Development

• Physical: Puberty begins and end, allowing the body to grow and reach sexual maturity

Examining Different Types of Development

• Cognitive: Initially focused on the present and not consequences, but over time begin to plan for the future and set achievable goals

+ Attempt to gain independence by distancing selves from parents 

+ Struggle with identity but find stability with age

Examining Different Types of Development

• Psychosocial: Strongly influenced by peer group early on but begin to branch out to new groups as identity consolidates

+ Romantic relationships in early years are short-lived but in later years longer-term relationships develop

Adolescent Development & Piaget's Formal Operational Stage

• Begins at 11 or 12 but continues into adulthood

• Abstract concepts, deductive reasoning, problem-solving

• Instead of relying on previous experiences, individuals consider potential outcomes within hypothetical scenarios 

Early Adolescence (11-13)

Physical: Onset of puberty--body hair, weight gain, height increase, and sexual interest

+ Girls: breasts and menstruation+ Boys: genitals, voice deepens+ Overall, girls' development is faster than boys’

Early Adolescence (11-13)

Cognitive: Abstract thought, interest in careers, but more focused on the present and near future

Psychosocial: Awkward about developing bodies, influenced by peer group, struggle with identity

+ Rule and limit testing and a strong desire for independence (may argue more with parents and spend more time with friends)

Middle Adolescence (14-18)• Physical: Puberty ends

and physical growth continues at a slower rate for girls but is still steady for boys

• Cognitive: Goal-setting, moral reasoning, existentialism 

Middle Adolescence (14-18)

Psychosocial: Self-involvement that oscillates between unrealistic high expectations and anxiety about failure

+ Lowered opinions of parents+ Selection of role models+ New friends and focus on popularity+ Love and passion, with frequently changing relationships and concerns about sexual attractiveness

Late Adolescence (19-21)• Physical: Most girls are fully

developed but boys often continue to grow

• Cognitive: future-oriented thinking, sense of identity, emotional stability, self-reliance, delay of gratification, moral reasoning

• Psychosocial: clearer sexual identity, serious relationships, cultural traditions might gain importance